Preview — The Greatest Love on Earth
by Mary Ellen Dennis

The Greatest Love on Earth

Set in the exotic world of a 19th century circus, The Greatest Love on Earth sweeps readers into deathdefying feats, dangerous rivalries, and a love that has all the thrills and romance of the greatest show on earth.

Bold, beautiful star equestrian Calliope Kelley has two passions in life: her father's circus and daredevil animal tamer Brian O'Connor. When the circus is desSet in the exotic world of a 19th century circus, The Greatest Love on Earth sweeps readers into deathdefying feats, dangerous rivalries, and a love that has all the thrills and romance of the greatest show on earth.

Bold, beautiful star equestrian Calliope Kelley has two passions in life: her father's circus and daredevil animal tamer Brian O'Connor. When the circus is destroyed by fire and Brian disappears, Calliope changes her name and becomes engaged to another man. But then Brian returns and everything in Calliope's new life goes topsy-turvy....more

Paperback, 439 pages

Published
August 2nd 2011
by Sourcebooks Casablanca
(first published August 1st 2011)

Community Reviews

Um, just NOT FOR ME. I thought it was one of those historical fictions marketed as cheesy mass market paperback. Sourcebooks has been putting out some enlightening stuff in mass market paperback form.. and as this doesn't have a cheesy cover, I thought... Eh, forget it. Truth is, it's a bodice ripper even though nobody is half naked on the front cover. By page 35, the hero and heroine have already gotten gotten lusty over each other and began playing with each other's nipples twice. And of coursUm, just NOT FOR ME. I thought it was one of those historical fictions marketed as cheesy mass market paperback. Sourcebooks has been putting out some enlightening stuff in mass market paperback form.. and as this doesn't have a cheesy cover, I thought... Eh, forget it. Truth is, it's a bodice ripper even though nobody is half naked on the front cover. By page 35, the hero and heroine have already gotten gotten lusty over each other and began playing with each other's nipples twice. And of course, SHE's a virgin and HE's an experienced rogue. VOMIT!!!

I enjoyed the circus setting very much, it was very refreshing and unique. The author did a great job writing about the circus and it's inhabitants. However the romance in the story was off-putting for me. There were many cringe-worthy moments that made the romantic scenes hard to read.

Brian and Calliope had been separated since she had been a child, but when he returns to the circus, they start making out within the same scene. It seemed unrealistic and at the same time it seemed like Brian wasI enjoyed the circus setting very much, it was very refreshing and unique. The author did a great job writing about the circus and it's inhabitants. However the romance in the story was off-putting for me. There were many cringe-worthy moments that made the romantic scenes hard to read.

Brian and Calliope had been separated since she had been a child, but when he returns to the circus, they start making out within the same scene. It seemed unrealistic and at the same time it seemed like Brian was taking advantage of a teenager. There wasn't a lot of development of their relationship besides the physical and what development there was felt awkward.

It was fun to read about the circus acts and performers though. It reminded me just a tiny bit of the travelling show in "Annie Get Your Gun." The author excels at the other areas of the story besides the romance.

I would recommend this book to readers interested in a unique setting who won't mind skimming over an awkward romance.

Calliope Kelley's father owns the circus. She was born and raised within the circus wagons and tents. Brian O'Connor is a few years older than her and was raised with her. His parents died when he was little and Calliope's parents took him in.

When Calliope's mother dies, Brian leaves the circus. He worshiped Angelique for years, loved her and he couldn't bear it without her, so he goes out west. When he returns, Calliope is running the circus and her father spends his time with booze and his meCalliope Kelley's father owns the circus. She was born and raised within the circus wagons and tents. Brian O'Connor is a few years older than her and was raised with her. His parents died when he was little and Calliope's parents took him in.

When Calliope's mother dies, Brian leaves the circus. He worshiped Angelique for years, loved her and he couldn't bear it without her, so he goes out west. When he returns, Calliope is running the circus and her father spends his time with booze and his memories.

When Calliope's father dies, she is certain it was no accident. In fact, she thinks her mother's death may have not been either and pulls Brian along on her investigations. Calliope has loved Brian her whole life, in fact planned on marrying him when she was little. Now, Brian pushes her away and Calliope flirts with others. Will the two of them put aside their differences to put on the greatest show on earth and have a future with one another?

Brimming with endearing characters, suspense, witty repartee, a first-hand look at a circus and strong bonds of love, The Greatest Love on Earth is a delightful and magical romance. Mary Ellen Dennis has penned an entertaining historical romance and I look forward to reading more from her in the future! ...more

The Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis is a novel that takes place during the 19th century in America and is about life in a circus. Calliope runs the circus that is owned by her father who is a devasted man, that spends most of his waking hours drunk. He has become a shell of a man ever since the death of his wife Angelique, who fell and died while performing. Calliope does the best she can in a man's world. She has been in love with the lion tamer ever since she can remember and BrianThe Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis is a novel that takes place during the 19th century in America and is about life in a circus. Calliope runs the circus that is owned by her father who is a devasted man, that spends most of his waking hours drunk. He has become a shell of a man ever since the death of his wife Angelique, who fell and died while performing. Calliope does the best she can in a man's world. She has been in love with the lion tamer ever since she can remember and Brian O'Connor (the lion tamer) has always been protective of Calliope ever since he saved her at birth. They are just starting to have a relationship when a devasting fire destroys the circus. Calliope believes that the circus is not an 'accident' but that the fire was set. By whom she does not know but she has an idea.

After the fire Calliope tries to make a life for herself in a normal world as Mary but is still drawn to the circus and wants to find out who is to blame for the fire and the death of her parents. She is taken in by a wealthy family. What comes next is a story of bruised egos, murder, and dreams shattered. This is a fast paced read and a sexy love story with an ending...opps, not going there. You will just have to read this book. I enjoyed this book, having not read a lot of books about the circus, I found it very interesting. A great beach read!!! Mary Ellen Dennis is also the author of Landlord's Blackeyed Daughter....more

THE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH by Mary Ellen Dennis is a gripping story of great love, great betrayal and the great danger of getting what you want played out against the unusual and exotic background of mid-nineteenth century American circus life.

Equestrienne Calliope knows only the circus, but longs for a normal life, symbolized by the name "Mary". She loves Brian, the lion tamer, but he barely notices the young girl, and one day, he disappears. For years, Calliope and her father, the circus ownerTHE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH by Mary Ellen Dennis is a gripping story of great love, great betrayal and the great danger of getting what you want played out against the unusual and exotic background of mid-nineteenth century American circus life.

Equestrienne Calliope knows only the circus, but longs for a normal life, symbolized by the name "Mary". She loves Brian, the lion tamer, but he barely notices the young girl, and one day, he disappears. For years, Calliope and her father, the circus owner, soldier on as calamity after calamity caused by an unknown malefactor befalls the troupe. When Brian returns, the almost-grown Calliope appeals to him. But the big top burns down and separates them again.

After the disaster, Calliope awakens in the home of the rich grandparents of the little girl she rescued from the fire. Reviled by so-called "good" society for being part of the circus, Calliope reinvents herself as a Mary to find acceptance. But good society has a dangerous dark underbelly which threatens to destroy her. Lies lead to more lies and disaster after disaster as Calliope and Brian, who has also reinvented himself, seek their happiness with each other. And the evildoer who caused all those calamities at the circus lives on to spread more misery.

THE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH is a fascinating glimpse of circus life, and a condemning study of Victorian American society with a mystery winding through the whole. The hypocritical and rigid "haves" who make the rules despise the lower-class circus people, when they are no better and often worse. Calliope and Brian are determined enough to fight them while they also battle each other when their desires conflict. I think both are a little too hard-headed, and Brian is less than heroic when he blames Calliope for things she can't control. There are multiple villains in this story, but the worst villain was too evil for my taste--he physically tortures Calliope.

But the circus is unique setting for a romance, and for those who have overdosed on noblemen, society misses and foreign locations, THE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH is a welcome change.

RATING:4.5)THE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH by Mary Ellen Dennis is an exciting historical set in 1872 America.It is written with depth and details.The characters are believable,engaging,challening,and will capture your heart. This is an usual historical as it is pretending to circus life and its people.This story is about Calliope Kelley,the circus owner's daughter and Brian O'Connor,the young man the circus owner and his wife helped raise after his mother was killed. While Calliope always loved BriaRATING:4.5)THE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH by Mary Ellen Dennis is an exciting historical set in 1872 America.It is written with depth and details.The characters are believable,engaging,challening,and will capture your heart. This is an usual historical as it is pretending to circus life and its people.This story is about Calliope Kelley,the circus owner's daughter and Brian O'Connor,the young man the circus owner and his wife helped raise after his mother was killed. While Calliope always loved Brian as more than a brother,she declared she would one day marry him,Brian lefts the circus,after Calliope's mother is killed, in search of his real father. Calliope feels he abandoned her.Calliope's father,the ringmaster,and circus owner,becomes a functional drunk.She runs the circus and in fact builds it up.Brian returns,the attraction between them grows as danger increases. Tragedy strikes again and again. Calliope and Brian are faced with hard decisions while one believes the other abandoned them and the other believes one is dead.They move on with their lives,work through the pain and hurt.This is a fast paced story full of romance,sweet sensuality,love,the circus,circus people,decept,deception,danger,drama,fate and destiny.You won't want to miss reading "The Greatest Love On Earth".It is a must read and a keeper.This author has done it again with this exciting romance that takes place in a circus.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher.Details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca,an imprint of Sourcebooks,Inc.and My Book Addiction and More....more

Brian O’Connor saves Calliope Kelley the day she is born. A memorable beginning promises an unforgettable story, set in an exotic place with fresh and interesting characters. It delivers.

Fast-paced, The Greatest Love On Earth weaves its tight plot around romance, suspense, and adventure. The reader is treated to the fascinating world of the circus during the 19th century.

Calliope is an endearing character, and the reader sees her grow up in an exciting world. She’s spunky, down-to-earth, and genuine, but sometimes her pride gets her into trouble. She experiences tragedy yet carries on, living life to the fullest. Brian has owned her heart her whole life. He’s a wonderful character, authentic and charming, but he tries to put distance between them with his words—she’s the boss’s daughter and innocent. Then her father dies in an accident, or was it? Her mother died years before—a victim of a crime?

There’s a mystery. Calliope suspects someone killed them and now wants her dead. Who among the colorful characters of her world could do such a thing?

This story is filled with passion and unexpected occurrences. Sometimes Calliope makes brash decisions, but she is young. She rushes to do these things before talking to Brian to see if her assumptions are true. At times, this is a little annoying. Later in the book, there is a little confusion as to where her heart truly rests. She has relationships / flirtations with four men in this book; though she only seems to love Brian. Some of her decisions are questionable, but she remains likeable anyway.

This is a wonderful story, and readers who like adventurous historical romance set in exotic settings will probably enjoy this book. Highly recommended.

I'm always open to reading outside my preferred genre so that's why I requested this one to read from Sourcebooks. I thought the story sounded interesting because I love the circus and was looking forward to an insider's glimpse of that time in the 19th century. The circus aspect of the story was fun to read and I did enjoy all of that. But the characters just didn't come to life for me and I thought at times that their choices wereFirst Thoughts when I closed the book: "Just not my cup of tea."

I'm always open to reading outside my preferred genre so that's why I requested this one to read from Sourcebooks. I thought the story sounded interesting because I love the circus and was looking forward to an insider's glimpse of that time in the 19th century. The circus aspect of the story was fun to read and I did enjoy all of that. But the characters just didn't come to life for me and I thought at times that their choices were silly. Yes, I know you need to advance the story but I shook my head more than once at the improbable ways of thinking. The other aspect that fell short for me was the relationship between Calliope and Brian. I didn't believe one bit of it and felt that it needed more attention of their friendship and less on the physical side.

Recommend? With hesitation! I really didn't like this one very much, but everyone has different tastes so what didn't work for me may work for another reader. As always, I like to leave my readers with other viewpoints so that they can get a well-rounded opinion about a book before they decide to read or not-to-read. Please check out what other bloggers are saying about this one!...more

Ms. Dennis has a knack for keeping you guessing throughout The Greatest Love On Earth which is awesome because who wants to KNOW how the story ends before you get there? Her stories are always well-written, although a bit lengthy, but she keeps me engrossed from beginning to end and I'm actually amazed how well she does that. Just when you think you know what's about to happen, she'll surprise you...and always does. I'll be anxiously awaiting her next romance!